Secrets order forced me to quit priesthood
At the time my American bishop (since deceased) refused to agree with my decision to refer to the local sheriff a serious allegation of clerical sex abuse which was brought to my attention by the then 10-year-old victim’s parents.
During the course of discussions with my bishop I sought his approval urgently to hand the complete file over to the civil authorities, including the report of the local tribunal which had completed its investigation into the allegations - but he refused.
By way of support for his decision, the bishop went to his filing cabinet, withdrew a copy of Crimen Sollicitationis and referred me to clause 11 in the document, which states:
“What is treated in these cases has to have a greater degree of care and observance so that those same matters be pursued in a most secretive way... they are to be restrained by a perpetual silence (Instruction of the Holy Office, February 20, 1867), each and everyone pertaining to the tribunal, in any way or admitted to knowledge of the matter, because of their office, is to observe the strictest secret, which is commonly regarded as a secret of the Holy Office, in all matters and with all persons, under the penalty of excommunication.”
In reply I pointed out to the bishop that this did not prevent the victim or members of his family from reporting the matter to the sheriff.
He then referred me to clause 13 in the same document, which states: “The oath of keeping the secret must be given in these cases also by the accusers or those denouncing (the priest) and the witnesses.”
Having consulted with the victim’s parents I tendered my resignation from the priesthood about 10 days later and handed my copy of the tribunal documents over to the local sheriff who quickly brought the perpetrator of the abuses to justice. I am persuaded that the cover-up instructions and threats in Crimen Sollicitationis are the main reasons why cowardly and self-seeking bishops and clergy seek to justify their adherences to the appalling and criminal “secret of The Holy Office” referred to in Crimen Sollicitationis.
I congratulate the Irish Examiner, and Mr Geaney, for bringing this scandal into the public arena.
George Longhurst
New Haven
Connecticut
USA
